UNCOVERING YOUR EDGE

by Perfect SkatingApril 09, 2019

I remember the acronym that Andy Murray put on the board at training camp with the Canadian National Team.

E-Emotion

D-Discipline

G-Gratitude

E-Execution

I thought this was awesome.I never had a coach talk in these types of words before. Words that had so much meaning.Words that lead to hope and a desired outcome.It was so motivating.Since then, I’ve used this acronym in my personal and family life and it always seems to come out in presentations and speaking engagements with kids or peer coaches in the hockey community.Let’s call it one of my most important codes of life and one that we live to the truest amongst our coaches all over the world at Perfect Skating!

Emotion:Studies show that positive emotion releases tons of hormonal bypass that affect mental, athletic and life performance.Happy, positive, passionate people do amazing things.Putting your heart on your sleeve really does matter.

Discipline:I’ve never met an individual in this world that achieved a high level of success without an immense amount of discipline.Discipline affects routine and rhythms within the nervous system. Good, consistent work delivers increased performance both on the cognitive and athletic scale.The result?Success and all the “good feeling” stuff we get when we achieve.Stay the course TEAM!

Gratitude:A beatitude of great people.It’s the catalyst of humbleness.Being gracious invokes images of “arms wide open”.It makes people smile.It appreciates.How does this affectperformance?It reduces the clutter.It allows your brain to dial in and enjoy one of the many gifts of being part of the human race.The opportunity to partner, love and appreciate.Be gracious and your spirit will be alive and ready to tackle your next big challenge!

Execution:Winning breeds winning.It really does.I’ve been so blessed to work with amazing NHL coaches: Barry Trotz, Brent Petersen, Peter Horacheck, Lane Lambert, Mitch Korn, Kirk Muller, Brad Shaw, Ian Herbers, Dean Evason, Jared Bednar, Ray Bennet, Nolan Pratt, Jussi Parkilla just to name a few.These guys win and win consistently.I’ve been the beneficiary of all of these great men.They’ve taught and mentored me how to navigate the competitive waters of the NHL.Sometimes they don’t even know they are doing it.Fight to execute every day, in every task, in every relationship and in every situation.When you do, winning just seems to find you.

So, friends, EDGE it up.Work with positive emotion, embody a disciplined approach, be graciously arms wide open and execute daily in all things.When you do, your life changes, the clutter withers away and one day you’ll be one of the amazing people mentioned above that make a difference in the lives of others, a servant of leadership!